A native Californian, Nisbet joined the army after high school and served in WW II. Upon return to civilian life, he enrolled
in an architecture and engineering college in San Francisco, where he was inspired by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. He
worked as a carpenter's apprentice until 1950, when he was accepted as a Fellow at Taliesin West. In 1953, he left Taliesin,
and began work on his own. In 1958, following an extended stay in Tahiti, he moved to Hawaii, and established a practice there.
He returned to California in the 1960s. Nisbet's beautiful drawings reflect the style and influence of Frank Lloyd Wright.
This collection contains drawings of built and unbuilt projects, mostly residential, spanning the years 1950-1990.

Background

Earl Nisbet was born on June 17, 1926 in San Jose, California.
Nisbet joined the army after high school and served in WWII. Upon
returning to civilian life, he enrolled in an architecture and
engineering college in San Francisco, where he was inspired by the
designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. After college, he worked as a
carpenter’s apprentice and assisted in the construction of the
Midglen residence in Woodside, a home that was being built by
apprentices of Frank Lloyd Wright. This experience influenced him to
apply for a fellowship studying with Frank Lloyd Wright and in 1950
he was accepted as a Fellow at Taliesin in Wisconsin. Nisbet spent
three years at Taliesin and Taliesin West before pursing an
independent career designing homes in Northern California. In 1958,
following an extended stay in Tahiti, he moved to Hawaii and
established a practice in Waikiki. During this period, Nisbet built
the Doo House. He returned to California in the early 1960s where he
continued to design residential and commercial buildings. Nisbet’s
architectural drawings reflect the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright
throughout his career. He passed away in Aptos, CA in 2013.

Extent

14.5 Linear feet, 6 document boxes, 1 flat box, 1 flat file drawer

Restrictions

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the
Curator.